The Grand The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, a Photo Journey By Steve Miller
Introduction The Grand: The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, a Photo Journey follows the river from Lees Ferry to Mile 236 with more than 300 spectacular color pictures and expert commentary. Of the millions of people who visit the Grand Canyon every year, only a handful of them leave the rim and actually get to experience the river and inside of the canyon up close. With over 30 years of experience rafting the Colorado, photographer Steve Miller presents the Canyon from the unique perspective that only a rafter can, leading you on a mile-by-mile journey to see and learn about the geologic formations, wildlife (including river rats!), flora, trailside views, and, of course, the moods of the water, sky, and the canyon walls. Sales Information Available: September 2005 $29.95, 1st edition 208 pages, 10 x 8, paper Full color throughout ISBN 0-89997-367-1 UPC 7-19609-97367-6 Please contact Heather Harrison (sales@wildernesspress.com). The Grand appeals not only to lovers of the park, but anyone who is interested in geology, whitewater rafting, or nature photography The perfect gift for hardcore outdoorspeople and armchair readers alike Competitive price point for a full-color book Nearly 5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually The Grand is published in partnership with the Grand Canyon Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing visitor understanding and appreciation of the Grand Canyon. Media Information & Author Appearances Please contact Laura Keresty, Director of Marketing & Operations, at pr@wildernesspress.com or call 800-443-7227, ext. 105 to request a press kit, or for information on scheduling slide presentations by author and photographer Steve Miller. Wilderness Press 1200 5th Street Berkeley, CA 94710 800-443-7227 www.wildernesspress.com
A Note from the Grand Canyon Association Green glassy tongue Sliding into chaos Inevitability I wrote this poem after I ran Crystal Rapid for the first time in the depths of the Grand Canyon. When you run whitewater, you must respect the river both the power of the moving water and the amount of water running over myriad rocks. Hydrologists analyze the forces that are created by these conditions predicting the way water should react but the reality of the river-running experience is much more visceral. It is just you, the water, and the rocks your fragile envelope of flesh and bones is by far the weakest of the trio. There is tremendous power in moving water; even the most experienced Colorado River runners pull to the shore above major rapids to scout the water ahead. They know every run is different, that you can never take a run for granted. Water levels vary, and new rocks may have been pushed into the flow. As the raw power of the massive waves knots your stomach, you seek a mental path through the maelstrom. Do you enter river right or left? Where are the big holes? Which run gives you the best chance of coming through upright? Decisions are made, you tighten the straps on your life vest, and you move forward. The deafening roar of the surging water reminds you that this is some of the biggest whitewater in North America. You position your raft in the calm water above the rapid so it will enter the rapid at the exact starting point you have planned. You strengthen your grip on the oars as you slide down the tongue into the current, relinquishing yourself to the full control of the river. As the executive director of the Grand Canyon Association, I have the opportunity to lead an organization that exists to help people learn and understand more about this magical place, which was carved by the Colorado River. The majority of the association s revenue comes from the sale of educational materials in our stores within Grand Canyon National Park. We use the proceeds from these sales to support education and science at the park. We operate a field institute, provide community lectures, publish and distribute free literature to park visitors, and work with people like author and photographer Steve Miller to bring you top-quality books like this one. In all of these endeavors, our goals are to illuminate and inspire you about the wonders of the canyon. We believe that if people perceive value in places like the Grand Canyon, they will protect and preserve such public lands for generations yet unborn. This is a unique book; its pages will transport you through the inner canyon of the greatest natural wonder on Earth, and you will see things that are usually seen only by river runners. Through Steve Miller s images, you can share in this experience. And by making the decision to purchase this beautiful book, you can help support the very resources you are viewing: A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book are returned to the Grand Canyon Association in support of the park. So come to the inner canyon; see the delicate plants and animals that live in this harsh environment; let your view be framed by soaring walls of ancient rock thousands of feet high; see the reflection of glowing walls in glassy, calm waters; and feel the power of massive rapids. We invite you to join us where humans can visit, but nature still holds the high card. Enjoy! Brad L. Wallis Executive Director, GCA
Redwall Cavern Mile 33 above: Redwall Cavern is a deep recess, which Powell estimated to be large enough to accommodate 50,000 people. It s a cool and restful place. Mile 34 opposite page: This is my favorite view, but unlike other such aisles, it hasn t been named. The Muav limestone appears at the base of the Redwall cliff.
CH 6 To Kanab Creek Miles 131-143 Below Bedrock Rapid the river exits the Middle Granite Gorge and runs through a sill of dark diabase rock. This stretch of the Colorado contains one major rapid and three of the best side canyon stops in the entire river corridor. Deubendorff Rapid, at Mile 131.8, precedes the large drainage system of Tapeats Creek and Thunder River. The hike up Tapeats Creek to Thunder River is one of the high points of running the Grand. Metamorphic and igneous rock reappear downstream of Tapeats Creek, where the river squeezes through Granite Narrows. Next is Deer Creek Falls and the Deer Creek Gorge, at Mile 136, another not-to-be-missed stop. Some river runners hike from Tapeats to Deer Creek, while others take their boats down for them. After Deer Creek, the river re-enters the Tapeats Sandstone and then the Muav Limestone. Kanab Creek, a major tributary that heads beyond the northern perimeter of the Grand Canyon, enters on the right. A scenic hike up Kanab Creek, which concludes this section of the river corridor, takes you to Whispering Falls. opposite page: Gymnastics at Deer Creek Gorge, Mile 136.3
Journey down the Colorado River through the magnificent Grand Canyon with photographer and river guide Steve Miller as he shares more than 300 extraordinary photos and reflections from 30 years of rafting the Grand. As the knowledgeable and sometimes irreverent narrator of this grand adventure, Miller uses images and words to evoke the beauty, emotion, and sheer wonder of this magical place. This is a unique book; its pages will transport you through the inner canyon of the greatest natural wonder on Earth, and you will see things that are usually only seen by river runners. Through Steve Miller s images, you can share in this experience. Brad L. Wallis, Executive Director, Grand Canyon Association